GB2219885A - A device for a guitar - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for increasing the tension on a guitar string 4 to increase the pitch of the string 4 includes a control link 16 for mounting within the guitar body 1 by a spring biassed mounting 23 to extend generally in the direction from the guitar neck 2 to the guitar bridge 5. One end of the link 16 is connected to a string tension member 19 for applying a tension load to the string 4 and the other end is connected to an operating lever arm 8 adapted for connection to a guitar strap. The lever arm 8 is pivotal by a force applied by a performer to the strap to displace the control link 16 against the spring bias and apply a tensile load to the string 4 through the tension member 19 to increase the pitch of the string 4, the control link 16 returning under the spring bias on release of the applied force so that the string 4 reverts to the original pitch. The control link may be a rod or a cable. The tension member may act directly on the string as shown, or may act indirectly on the string by moving the bridge. <IMAGE>

Description

A DEVICE FOR A GUITAR This invention relates to a device for a guitar.

The invention has particular application for electric guitars but could be applied to accoustic guitars if desired.

The invention is directed to providing the performer with a special arrangement in a guitar by which the pitch of a string may be raised when required on demand and at the will of the performer. It is desirable for performers to be able to change or vary the standard or pre-tuned pitch of a string, and it is already known to provide devices such as a tremolo which acts on one or more of a series of strings to lower the pitch.

The raising of the pitch of a string produces an effect which changes the pitched note, and one sound that many performers-would like to emulate in an electric guitar is that which is similar to or like a pedal string guitar. The raising of the pitch of a string may be referred to as "bending" the pitch or note.

In designing any device to be incorporated or fitted to a guitar there are various problems to be overcome, and it is undesirable to introduce a device which cannot be operated in a simple manner by the performer or which presents a clumsy or obtrusive appearance spoiling the aesthetic design of the guitar.

In addition, where a guitar may be modified to incorporate a special device, it is desirable that the guitar can be returned to its standard or unmodified form.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for a guitar to enable a performer to raise the pitch of a string in a simple manner and on demand at the will of the performer.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which is simple to fit to or install and incorporate in a guitar.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device which is unobstrusively mounted on a guitar but which is easy for a performer to use and control when desired.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device which can be fitted without interference with existing fitments or accessories to the guitar and which does not require special strings or other non-standard parts in the actual performing use of the guitar incorporating the device.

Other objectives of this invention will be apparent from the description and mentions later herein of various exemplary embodiments of this invention and their technical merits.

According to this invention, in a guitar having at least one string extending from a turing post on the guitar neck and over a bridge on the guitar body, I provide a device for increasing the tension on the string to increase the pitch note of that string, the device comprises an operating lever arm mounted on the guitar body at or adjacent to the base of the neck for limited pivotal movement, the lever arm being adapted for connection to a guitar strap by means of which the performer may apply a force to the lever arm to actuate the device, the operating lever arm is connected to one end of a control link extending generally towards the bridge with the control link being mounted on the guitar body by a spring biassed mounting acting on the control link to urge the link into a first position, the other end of the control link having a string tension member pivotally connected thereto arranged to apply a tension loading to the string on actuation of the device, the arrangement being such that in the standard pre-tuned mode the control link and operating lever arm are maintained in the first position by the spring bias, and on pivotal movement of the operating lever arm by the force applied by the performer to the strap, the control link is moved against the spring bias to a second position in which the string is subject to tensile loading applied by the string tension member to increase the pitch of the string, and on release of the force applied by the performer, the tensile loading is released and the control link is returned to the first position so that the string reverts to the standard pre-tuned pitch.

By this invention, the device is merely presented to the performer for use, when desired and at the will of the performer, and the performer merely has to apply a shoulder or like movement to pull on the strap to move the operating lever arm to which one end of the strap is connected. Thus, in playing the guitar including the device, the performer does not have to use or move his hands to achieve the raising of the pitch of the string. Indeed, the facility to actuate the device by a simple shoulder shrug or like movement such as pushing down on the neck of the guitar is easily acquired and can be done without difficulty and without detracting from the performance.

Preferably, the device is arranged so that the control link is secretly mounted in or to the guitar body with the operating lever arm just projecting -from the underside of the base of the neck for connection to the guitar strap.

By such preferred construction, the device is unobtrusive and can be used with a standard form of guitar strap of which the other end would be connected to another standard form of fixing on the guitar body in known manner.

Conveniently, the device is adapted for adjustment of the string tension member so that the tension loading applied to the string can be adjusted between lower and upper limits, the lower limit corresponding to a nil effect on the string to maintain the pre-tuned pitch and an upper limit corresponding to a desired increase in pitch and limiting over-tensioning of the string to avoid damage to or breaking of the string.

The control link may comprise a rod which is coupled at one end to the operating lever arm and the other end mounts the string tension member with the control rod being supported and mounted on the guitar body by the spring biassed mounting.

By this arrangement, the movement imparted by the performer to the operating lever arm overcomes the spring bias and the movement is transmitted directly by the rod to the string tension member. The spring force acting on the control rod holds it in the first position and returns it to this position on release of the force applied by the performer to the operating lever arm.

The control link may comprise a cable arrangement in which the operating lever arm is connected to one end of a cable with the other end of the cable either being connected to a short rod or connected directly to the string tension arm.

The arrangement including a cable enables certain configurations or guitar body shapes to be accommodated due to the flexibility of the cable and fitting.

The string tension member may take various forms and arrangements, and it may act directly on the string by engaging the string, or it may act indirectly by applying a tensile load to the string through the bridge. The form and arrangement may depend on the type and style of the guitar including any tremolo fitted or to be fitted to the guitar.

In one preferred arrangement, the string tension member is a short stub arm coupled to the one end of the control link remote from the operating lever, with the free end of the stub arm being arranged to engage the end of the string and having a medial pivot axle so that on movement of the control link the stub arm is caused to pivot about the axle to apply a tensile force to the string.

This preferred arrangement is very simple and robust in construction and it can be fitted to a wide range of guitar bodies.

In another preferred arrangement, the string tension member is arranged to act directly on the string and the member comprises a cranked lever which has one limb pivotally connected to the one end of the control link remote from the operating lever, the free end of the other limb engages the free end of the string with the medial portion of the cranked lever being pivotally supported on a support block so that on movement of the control link the cranked lever is caused to pivot so that said other limb applies a tensile load to the string to increase the pitch.

In this preferred arrangement, the cranked lever enables the device to be used for guitars in which there may be a tremolo fitted with a special bridge arrangement and tremolo lever operating arm on the exterior of the guitar. The cranked lever can be mounted in a recessed housing or clearance and the one limb can protrude into a guide into which the string extends so that the one limb of the cranked lever engages with the string.

In alternative arrangements of the string tension member for indirect action on the string, the member may be arranged to act on the bridge of the guitar to move the bridge relative to the guitar body.

In one such alternative arrangement for indirect action of the string tension member, the one end of the control link remote from the operating lever is coupled by a pivot link to an actuator which extends to the underside of a movable bridge so that on displacement of the control link in the manner previously described, the actuator engages the bridge which is moved away from the guitar body so that the tensile load is applied to the string to raise the pitch by displacing the bridge.

The just-mentioned indirect action of the spring tension member has useful application in guitars including a tremolo in which there is a spearate bridge for each string. The movement of the bridge by the actuator does not interfere with the operation of the tremolo which used independently in known manner.

A further alternative arrangement for indirect action of the string tension member includes coupling one end of a pivotal actuator to the one end of the control link remote from the operating lever with the free end of the arm being engagable with the underside of a movable bridge, the actuator arm is pivotally supported so that on movement of the control link the free end of the actuator acts on the bridge to displace it in the direction of the string to increase the tension therein to raise the pitch.

This alternative indirect arrangement of the string tension member is also suitable for guitars to which a tremolo is or will be fitted and which has a movable bridge.

Other preferred features of this invention are described later herein with reference to exemplary embodiments of this invention as applied to various types of guitars. The preferred features include means for adjusting the spring bias of the mounting for the control link as well as adjustable means for limiting the tension applied directly or indirectly to the string by the string tension arm, and arrangements for the spring bias mounting.

This invention is deemed to cover both the device as to be fitted to a guitar or to a guitar incorporating the device.

The invention will now be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof as depicted in the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a schematic plan view of a guitar (neck omitted) to which one embodiment of the device is fitted; FIGURE 2 is a schematic sectional view of the first embodiment of Figure 1 with part of the neck and neck retaining plate or block included, the section being in the direction indicated at 2'-2' in Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is a schematic isometric view showing the component arrangement of the first embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic isometric view of a control link arrangement including a cable which may be applied to the device.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view depicting an access bore in the guitar body for fitting the control link with cable as shown in Figure 4.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic scrap sectional view of a second embodiment of the invented device.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic scrap sectional view of a third embodiment of the invented device in which the string tensioning member acts indirectly on the string; and FIGURE 8 is a schematic scrap sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invented device with indirect action of the string tensioning member.

With reference to the first embodiment as shown in Figures 1,2 and 3, there is a typical guitar body 1 of solid construction. For convenience the neck of the guitar and strings are omitted in Figure 1, but in Figure 2 the base part of the neck 2 is shown including the frets 3. In known manner, there is a string 4 of which one end would be connected to a tuning post (not shown) arranged on the end of the neck 2. Mounted on the guitar body there is a bridge 5 over which the string 4 extends in known manner. For clarity, only one string is depicted and to which the device is to be applied, this being preferably the "b" string. Other strings would be fitted to the guitar in known manner, and the number and arrangement of the other strings will depend on the type and style of guitar.

A mounting plate 6 is attached to the underside of the guitar adjacent to the base of the neck 2 where this is joined to the body 1 in the conventional manner by a neck retaining plate or block 2a. The mounting plate 6 is secured by screws 7. Projecting from the mounting plate 6 there is a lever operating arm 8 on the free end of which there is a specially shaped button 9 to which one end of a guitar strap (not shown) can be attached in known manner.

The lever operating arm 8 extends from a boss 10 that extends through a clearance hole 11 made in the body and the boss 10 is supported for limited pivotal movement by the mounting plate 6. An access drilling 12 extends into the clearance hole 11, and an adjuster screw 13 is received in this drilling 12 with the head 14 of the screw being received in a counterbored outer end of the drilling 12.

The inner end of the boss 10 carries an arm 15 which is arranged to rotate with the boss 10 when the operating lever arm 8 is moved as later described.

A control link comprises a rigid rod 16 that extends generally in the direction from the neck 3 to the bridge 5. The rod 16 has a slot 17 at one end nearest to the neck and in this slot 17 there is received the tapered end of the arm 15 which is moved on movement of the operating lever arm 8. The rod 16 extends through clearances provided in the body and the other end of the rod 16 is formed with another slot 18 in which is mounted the tapered end of a string tension member 19.

The string tension member 19 is a pivotted stub arm having a hook-like bifurcated free end 20 which receives and locates a transverse peg 21 which is threaded through the loop end of the string 4. The medial portion of the stub arm 19 has opposed pivot axles 22 that are arranged to engage with recesses (not shown) to locate the axles whilst permitting. rocking movement of the stub arm 19 on movement of the control rod 16.

The control rod 16 is supported by a spring biassed mounting 23. This mounting comprises an angle bracket 24 secured to the body 1 in a clearance by means of screws 25. The bracket 24 receives the tail ends of two matched helical springs 26 and the other tail ends of these springs 26 are engaged with a transverse bar 27 that is fixed to the control rod 16 by a screw 28. The two springs 26 extend parallel to the control rod 16 and exert a spring bias on the control link assembly including the control rod 16 to maintain the device in the normal pre-tuned mode as shown in Figure 2.

In use of the device, a force can be applied by the performer onto the operating lever arm 8 through the strap connected to the button 9. Such force will turn the lever arm 8 and the lever arm 15 to move the control rod 16 against the spring bias force of the springs 26. The movement of the control rod 16 then causes the string tension member comprising the stub arm 19 to pivot about the axles 22 so that the end of the string 4 is pulled by the tension force applied in a direction away from the bridge 5 so that the pitch of the string 4 is increased. The directions of relative movement on applying the force are shown by arrows in Figure 3.

As soon as the force applied by the performer is released, then the spring force of the springs 26 will return the control rod 16 and the stub arm 19 to the former or first position and the normal pre-tuned mode and pitch is restored for the string 4.

To adjust the fine movement of the control rod 16 for tuning and to limit the tension applied to the string 4, the adjuster screw 13 can be turned so as to engage the end of the control rod 16 as an abutment stop.

As will be appreciated, certain clearances are required to be made in the guitar body to fit the device, but these are minimal and can be covered by an appropriate cover or scratch plate (not shown).

With reference to Figure 4 this shows an alternative arrangement for the control link in which there is only a short rigid rod 29 that is connected to the spring bias mounting 23 as just described. One end of the rod 29 is connected by soldering or the like to one end of a cable 30 and of which the other end is connected to the end of the lever arm 15. Intermediate the ends of the cable 30 there is a sheath 31 engaged between opposed angle brackets 32 and 33 which are respectively secured to the body by screws 34 and 35.

In known manner, each bracket 32,33 locates the cable 30 and sheath 31 with clearance slots being provided in each bracket for the cable to pass therethrough.

The cable arrangement as depicted can be fitted to a guitar as shown in Figure 5 by providing a passageway 36 leading from the inner portion of the clearance 11 to a recess 37 provided in the underside of the guitar body 1 which would be closed by a cover plate (not shown).

The use of such control link arrangement including a cable facilitates fitting in certain types and shapes of guitar bodies, and the operation and function of the device with the cable arrangement is the same as for the control rod 16 as described previously.

The second embodiment of this invveted device will now be described with reference to Figure 6 and in which the same references are used for those parts which have been described previously.

The control link comprises a short rigid rod 29 and cable 30 which is connected to the operating lever arm 8 as previously described. The control link is supported by a spring bias mounting 23, and in this embodiment there are the pair of helical springs 26 connected at their respective one ends to the transverse bar 27 whilst the respective other ends are connected to an angle support 38 which is adjustably fitted by a screw 38a to the body 1 adjacent an hollow guide 39 through which the string 4 extends.

The string tension member 19 comprises a cranked member having a first limb 40 pivotally connected to the near end of the control rod 29 by a pin 41. The cranked member is pivotally supported by a pivot 42 on a mounting boss 43 and the free end of the other limb 44 extends through the guide 39 into a clearance.

The free end of the limb 44 is arranged to engage a threaded abutment stop 45 which can be adjusted to limit the movement of the cranked member.

The limb 44 includes a bearer slot 46 through which the looped end of the string 4 extends to be located thereon, and a peg (not shown) may be used to secure the loop end.

The string 4 extends over the bridge 5 which is a typical form of bridge movable relative to a support plate 5a as used for a guitar with a tremolo fitted and with which the strings is (are) arranged to extend through a string guide such as shown for guide 39.

In a manner similar to that just described for the first embodiment, when the operating lever arm 8 is moved under the control of the performer, then the string tension member 19 comprising the cranked lever is caused to pivot about the respective pivots 41 and 42 so that the free end of the limb 44 is moved towards the abutment 45 and to engage this to limit movement. This movement of the limb 44 pulls down on the string 4 so as to apply tension to it and to raise the pitch.

As previously described, under the action of the spring mounting, the control link and other parts are returned automatically to the pre-tuned pitch setting when the force is released from the operating lever arm.

The third embodiment of this invented device will now be described with reference to Figure 7 and in which the same references are used for those parts which have been described previously.

In this embodiment there is the control link including a rigid rod 29 and cable 30 with the spring bias mounting 23 including two helical springs 26 of which the ends nearest to the guide 39 are connected to a small block 47.

The string tension member comprises a cranked member having a first limb 48 which is pivotally connected to the adjacent end of the rod 29 by a pivot pin 49 with the centre of the cranked member being pivotally supported by a pivot pin 50 extending through a small mounting block 51 secured to the body. The free end of the other limb 52 of the cranked member engages with a flanged collar 53 that is carried on a threaded portion of an actuator 54 that extends through the body and through a clearance in a plate 5a underneath the movable bridge 5 over which the string 4 passes and of which the looped end is secured in the bottom of the guide 39.

This arrangement of the plate 5a and movable bridge 5 and guide 39 is typical of that used for a tremolo arrangement and in which the bridge 5 is arranged to be moved relative to the plate 5a so as to detension the string on movement of the bridge to decrease the pitch. The bridge is moved parallel to and in the direction towards the neck of the guitar in such an arrangement. Various kinds of tremolo are well known and it is not considered essential to described these in detail herein.

In use of the invented device, the control link is moved by the performer on demand as previously described. On such movement against the spring bias, the limbs of the cranked member are moved relatively so that the limb 52 acts on the flanged collar 53 to move the actuator 54 to engage the underside of the bridge and to lift same away from the plate 5a. Such movement of the bridge 5 away from the plate thus applies a tension load to the string to increase the pitch. The direction of movement of the actuator 54 is shown by the arrow.

On releasing the force applied to the operating lever arm, the cranked member resumes its former position due to the spring bias and the actuator 54 is returned to the normal former position. The tuned tension of the string acts on the bridge 5 to restore this into the normal position and wherein any tremolo can be used as required.

Limit stops and adjustment can be provided for this embodiment by arranging adjustment and limits for the control rod 29 and other parts in a manner similar to that described for the preceding embodiments.

The fourth embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to Figure 8, and as before the same references are used for parts previously described.

In this embodiment the short control rod 29 with cable 30 is used and the spring bias mounting 23 is inverted with the ends of the springs 26 being secured respectively to a transverse angled mount 55 and to an angle bracket 56 which is adjustably mounted on the body by a screw 57.

The bridge 5 and plate 5a arrangement depicted is like that for the third embodiment for a tremolo and the end of the string 4 is secured at the bottom of the guide 39.

The spring tension member comprises an actuator rod 58 which is pivotally connected at the one end to the end of the control rod 29 by a pivot pin 59.

Mounted on the body is a small pivot block 60 that seats opposed axles 61 extending through the actuator rod 58 intermediate its ends. The other end of the actuator rod 58 extends through the plate 5a and under the bridge 5.

In this embodiment, when the control rod 29 is moved, then the actuator rod 58 is caused to pivot about the axles 61 so that it engages and acts on the bridge 5 so as to displace this parallel to the plate 5a and in the direction shown by the arrow. On such movement of the bridge 5, the string 4 is tensioned to increase the pitch. On releasing the force applied to the control link 15, then the actuator rod 58 and bridge 5 return to their former positions and the string 4 is restored to the pre-tuned pitch.

Adjustments to limit of movement of the actuator rod 58 and the control link and for fine tuning may be provided in a similar manner as decribed hereinbefore.

In each of the emobodiments described, the control of the device to raise the pitch of the string is for the performer to choose at will by the simple application of a force applied through the strap to the operating lever arm. The device provides for an adjustable tuning stop so that the amount of pitch change can be varied, and it is expected that for a "b" string, the adjustment would be for about a four semitone range.

The performer can apply the force in such a manner as to influence the rate of controlled pitch change, and during pitch change there is no loss of sustain.

Generally, for most performers who wish to have a guitar sound that emulates a string pedal guitar, only one string would be controlled by the device. However, it is envisaged that by suitable modification to the device, it could be used to apply the tension to more than one string by providing a string tension member that acts simultaneously on one or more strings.

The removal of material from the guitar body to fit the invented device is minimal, and in most solid body guitars there are already certain clearances or fittings in or on the body that can be utilised. Any of the clearances required for fitting the invented device can be covered by a plate, such as the traditional scratch plate, and the outward appearance of the guitar is not effected as the invented device is not substantially visible to the exterior.

The invented device in its various embodiments is of simple construction and the parts are easy to manufacture and assemble. Thus, the invented device can be manufactured and sold as a kit of parts for fitting to a guitar. Alternatively, the inyented device may be incorporated in a guitar by the guitar manufacturer.

Modifications to the arrangement of the components such as the springs and control link can be made without departing from the concept of this invention in order to achieve the fitting of the invented device to certain types of guitars.

The invented device provides the performer with control over the pitch raising to achieve "bending and the rate and degree of pitch change. The performer can make simple adjustments to suit the musical aims and playing style whilst still maintaining the original or standard form of the guitar.

Claims (21)

Claims:

1. A guitar having at least one string extending from a tuning post on the guitar neck and over a bridge on the guitar body, and a device for increasing the tension on the string to increase the pitch note of that string, the device comprising an operating lever arm mounted on the guitar body at or adjacent to the base of the neck for limited pivotal movement, the lever arm being adapted for connection to a guitar strap by means of which the performer may apply a force to the lever arm to actuate the device, the operating lever arm is connected to one end of a control link extending generally towards the bridge with the control link being mounted on the guitar body by a spring biassed mounting acting on the control link to urge the link into a first position, the other end of the control link having a string tension member pivotally connected thereto arranged to apply a tension loading to the string on actuation of the device, the arrangement being such that in the standard pretuned mode the control link and operating lever arm are maintained in the first position by the spring bias, and on pivotal movement of the operating lever arm by the force applied by the performer to the strap, the control link is moved against the spring bias to a second position in which the string is subject to tensile loading applied by the string tension member to increase the pitch of the string, and on release of the force applied by the performer, the tensile loading is released and the control link is returned to the first position so that the string reverts to the standard pre-tuned pitch.

2. A guitar according to Claim 1 wherein the control link is secretly mounted in or to the guitar body with the operating lever arm just projecting from the underside of the base of the neck for connection to the guitar strap.

3. A guitar according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the device is adapted for adjustment of the string tension member so that the tension loading applied to the string can be adjusted between lower and upper limits, the lower limit corresponding to a nil effect on the string to maintain the pre-tuned pitch and an upper limit corresponding to a desired increase in pitch and limiting over-tensioning of the string to avoid damage to or breaking of the string.

4 A guitar according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the control link comprises a rod which is coupled at one end to the operating lever arm and the other end mounts the string tension member with the control rod being supported and mounted on the guitar body by the spring biassed mounting.

5. A guitar according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the control link comprises a cable arrangement in which the operating lever arm is connected to one end of a cable with the other end of the cable either being connected to a short rod or connected directly to the string tension arm.

6. A guitar according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the string tension member acts directly on the string.

7. A guitar according to Claim 6 wherein the string tension member is a short stub arm coupled to the one end of the control link remote from the operating lever, with the free end of the stub arm being arranged to engage the end of the string and having a medial pivot axle so that on movement of the control link the stub arm is caused to pivot about the axle to apply a tensile force to the string.

8. A guitar according to Claim 6 wherein the string tension member comprises a cranked lever which has one limb pivotally connected to the one end of the control link remote from the operating lever, the free end of the other limb engages the free end of the string with the medial portion of the cranked lever being pivotally supported on a support block so that on movement of the control link the cranked lever is caused to pivot so that said other limb applies a tensile load to the string to increase the pitch.

9- A guitar according to Claim 8 wherein the crar.ked lever is mounted in a recessed housing or clearance and the one limb protrudes into a guide into which the string extends so that the one limb of the cranked lever engages with the string.

10. A guitar according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the string tension member acts indirectly on the string.

11. A guitar according to Claim 10 wherein the bridge is movabie and the string tension member is arranged to act on the bridge of the guitar to move the bridge relative to tie guitar body to apply a tensile load to the string.

12. A guitar according to Claim 11 wherein the one end of the control link remote from the operating lever is coupled by a pivot link to an actuator which extends to the underside of the movable bridge so that on displacement of the control link in the manner previously described, the actuator engages the bridge which is moved away from the guitar body so that the tensile load is applied to the string to raise the pitch by displacing the bridge.

13. A guitar according to Claim 11 wherein one end of a pivotal actuator is coupled to the one end of the control link remote from the operating lever with the free end of the actuator being engagable with the underside of the movable bridge, the actuator is pivotally supported so that on movement of the control link the free end of the actuator acts on the bridge to displace it in the direction of the string to increase the tension therein to raise the pitch.

14. A guitar according to any one of the preceding Claims including means for adjusting the spring bias of the mounting for the control link.

15. A guitar according to any one of the preceding Claims including adjustable means for limiting the tension applied to the string by the string tension member.

16. A guitar according to any one of the preceding Claims including a tremolo.

17. A guitar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A guitar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A guitar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings as modified by any one of Figures 6,7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

20. The device for use in a guitar according to any one of the preceding Claims.

21. A device for increasing the tension on a guitar string to increase the pitch note of the string comprises an operating lever arm adapted for mounting on the guitar body at or adjacent to the base of the guitar neck for limited pivotal movement, the lever arm being adapted for connection to a guitar strap by means of which the performer may apply a force to the lever arm to actuate the device, the operating lever arm being connected to one end of a control link adapted for mounting on the guitar body to extend generally towards the guitar bridge by a spring biassed mounting acting on the control link to urge the link into a first position, the other end of the control link having a string tension member pivotally connected thereto and adapted for applying a tension loading to the string on actuation of the device in use, the arrangement being such that, in use, in the standard pre-tuned mode the control link and operating lever are maintained in the first position by the spring bias, and on pivotal movement of the operating lever arm by the force applied by the performer to the strap, the control link is moved against the spring bias to a second position in which the string is subject to tensile loading applied by the spring tension member to increase the pitch of the string, and on release of the force applied by the performer, the tensile loading is released and the control link is returned to the first position so that the string reverts to the standard pretuned pitch.